Former Deputy Speaker in the State Assembly and veteran tribal leader Prahallad Dora has joined the BJP ahead of the panchayat elections.
“I have a complete faith on the Central schemes launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi”, Dora, a former Chitrokonda MlA, said while being welcomed into the party by its State president Basant Panda.
Besides, Congress-supported former Samiti member Naba Behera of Basuaghai gram panchayat on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar along with hundreds of her supporters also joined the BJP during the programme held here on Tuesday.
Similarly, hundreds of BJD members from Jatni and Bolgarh-Begunia Assembly constituencies joined the saffron party.
BJD leaders like Janla Panchayat Samiti Member Sunita Nayak, tribal leader Shankarshan Nayak, Begunia block 22 zone Zilla Parishad member Rudra Pratap Panigrahi, 23 zone ZP member Pradip Nayak, Bolgarh Panchayat Ward Member Bhabagrahi Nayak and veteran social activist Ramakrushna Sahoo came to the BJP fold.
Party vice-president Samir Mohanty, general secretary (organization) Sharada Satapathy, general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan, secretary Kalandi Samal, secretary Jatin Mohanty and spokesperson Sudipta Ray were present.